smart funtestdrive event in Hoboken

Hobokenites invited to smart funtestdrive this weekend

Interested in test driving the new smart all-electric “city car?” Well, you have the chance this weekend, as the folks from smart(owned by Mercedes Benz), will be out near the PATH station downtown with about 20 cars for area residents and visitors to try out.

“smart, the iconic urban microcar, arrives in Hoboken, NJ as part of a national “smart funtestdrive tour” that gives locals an exclusive opportunity to test the all-new smart electric drive.

The smart electric drive is the most affordable electric vehicle in the U.S. and has the smallest footprint of any car in the world. With a range of 76 miles of city driving and 122 city miles per gallon gasoline equivalent, the smart electric drive is ideal for eco-conscious commuters.

Test drivers of the smart electric drive will also receive special giveaways.”

smart electric car handles Hoboken’s streets quite well

Hoboken411 had the opportunity to take the city car for a spin earlier this afternoon.

Expecting “hell on wheels,” I was pleasantly surprised. Should have known better than doubt a German-engineered vehicle!

My observations (in no particular order).

Can accommodate big guys. I’m over 6’4″, and I had no problem with leg or head room. Actually, I felt a little higher up than my 400hp, 8 cylinder luxury sedan. Hmm!

Quick and nimble for city streets. Handled well at over 50mph. The smart electric car had adequate acceleration, and held it’s own zooming down Sinatra Drive.

Didn’t fall to pieces due to Hoboken potholes. I took the smart car over the worst spots in Hoboken (15th St.), and it felt solid and the rough terrain of the road was effectively dampened. However, due to the short 9 foot length of the car, some “rough riding” could not be avoided.

Not a “vacation car.” Barely a “day trip car.” With a range of barely over 50 miles (depending on how you drive), it would be a stretch to say you could bring it to the Jersey Shore from Hoboken. If you happened to make it, you’re not getting back, that’s for sure. But you obviously knew that, right? It’s a short-trip city car almost exclusively.

Ridiculously easy to park.

The electric model I test drove maxed out at around $27,000, and can be leased for around $199 for 36 months. Note that the gasoline version can be had for $10,000 less (or $99 /month) – and has a fuel tank with around 300 mile range between fill-ups ($25 worth of gas). If I had to choose, I’d get the gas version.

Apparently these cars are also “safe.” They have race-car like “silver metallic tridion safety cells” and 8 airbags (including knees and side-impact).